Scientists have developed a biological alternative to the electronic
pacemaker, which could transform the treatment of heart disease.

The technique works by converting ordinary heart tissue into rhythm-keeping
cells that act as the heart’s metronome. In the future, patients with
arrythmia — irregular or slow heart beats — could be given the genetic
treatment through a single injection into the heart, avoiding surgery to
implant a pacemaker.

The therapy, which was successfully demonstrated in pigs, is expected to be
tested in patients within three years.

Eduardo Marbán, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles,
who led the study, said: “We